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SISD lunch prices to increase

Due in part to federal regulations, the lunch prices within Sweetwater ISD (Independent School District) will see an increase this fall.The SISD Board of Trustees approved the increase during their meeting held on Monday evening. School districts are required to increase their prices as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which came about through the "Let's Move" campaign initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama.There is, however, a minimum increase allowed, which the school district chose to implement. Thus, full lunch prices for students within SISD will increase by ten cents starting next year.Sweetwater High School students will now pay $2.40, while students at Sweetwater Middle School and Sweetwater Intermediate School will pay $2.35. Students attending East Ridge, Southeast, and JP Cowen will now pay $2.30 for a full price lunch.Adult prices will remain at $3.00 for staff and $3.50 for visitors.Also during the meeting, the board awarded the depository bid to First Financial Bank (FFB), after examining the bids submitted by two local banks. SISD business manager Nathan Ehlert introduced the information to the board, while he also praised all of the banking institutions in Sweetwater for their continued support of the school district.In compliance with TEA (Texas Education Agency) policy, the bid must be renewed; the last time it was renewed was in 2007. This cycle will run from September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015.Both bids did not enact any banking fees and they also offered electronic banking, mobile apps and remote deposit capture. But as comparisons were made, it was noted that First Financial offered a simple structure.Additionally, FFB was the only entity that offered positive pay (fraud protection), a payroll card, a one-time transaction payment, and employee incentives. Discussion was held on the decision, but the employee incentives coupled with the online services led the board to make a motion to select the bid for First Financial Bank, which was approved.In addition, approval was given to the consent agenda, which was made up by the minutes of the April 15 meeting, the investment statement and the delinquent tax lots bids, along with the financial statement and bills for April 2013.Furthermore, four resignations, three retirements and one reassignment were approved in professional personnel changes. Eight resignations, two retirements, one reassignment and one termination were also acknowledged for changes within paraprofessional personnel.